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GamCare Unveils New Code of Conduct for Brick-and-Mortar Gaming Venues
By Jeff Osienya Nov 26, 2022 IndustryGamCare takes the safer gaming fight to land-based gambling facilities by unveiling new guidelines to encourage problem gamblers to seek professional assistance. Gambling establishments in the UK are required to have implemented the Code by May 2023.Land-based gamblers in the UK will now have access to information on safer gambling, thanks to GamCare’s recently published Industry Code for the Display of Safer Gambling Information (Gambling Venues). This is the second set of guidelines released by the charity, which specializes in promoting responsible gambling habits in the UK.
The first Code of Conduct was introduced in 2020 and focused on online gambling sites and apps. Back then, it was drafted in response to the influx of online players during the Covid-19 lockdowns. This time, the new Code is targeted at brick-and-mortar gambling operators. Well, from the look of things, the guidelines update is fueled by the increase in players resuming in-person gambling as more casinos continue recovering from the effects of the pandemic.
What Does the New GamCare Code of Conduct Say?
The new GamCare Code is worded strategically with clauses categorized into requirements, recommendations, and guidance. And the support received from gaming authorities and providers is evidence that the charity’s efforts are paying off and that there is some hope for getting things right.
The Code focuses on some crucial areas for the initiative’s success. They include the placement of the information on the premises, the precise Safer Gambling messaging, strategic signposting, and how the content will be presented, among others.
One way of doing this will be via QR Codes directing players to the GamCare website. These are to be prominently displayed at least once in areas within the gambling venues. Additionally, the QR Codes are to be printed on the front of small cards with the National Gambling Helpline number at the back.
Operators will also be required to display Safer Gambling messages on internal screens at least 20% of the time and are encouraged to reference the gambling helpline and the BeGambleAware site where possible. GamCare has even provided terminology to be used when coming up with Safer Gambling messages so as to reach players’ hearts without scaring them off.
To further help businesses implement the Code effectively, GamCare published a sample leaflet for operators to use as a reference point when drafting their messages. Other organizations dedicated to problem gambling have also offered to support operators in a bid to see to it that Code is successful.
Land-Based Gaming Establishments to be Compliant by May 2023
GamCare developed the Code in conjunction with UK gaming authorities, including the Betting and Gambling Council, the UK Gaming Commission, and the Bingo Association. In addition, organizations like the British Amusement Catering Trade Association (BACTA) and other industry stakeholders were also involved in drafting the new Code. Members of the said bodies are expected to have complied with the Code by May 2023.
GamCare CEO Anna Hemmings highlighted the organization’s intentions saying:
Quote“We know that only a small proportion of people affected by gambling harms in Great Britain come forward for support each year. By setting minimum standards for the display of safer gambling information for the land-based and venues sector, we are looking to improve the consistency of information display and reduce friction for customers so that they can readily access tools to help them manage their gambling, and to access free, specialist support whenever it might be needed.”
Michael Dugher, CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council, also chimed in to say:
Quote“The BGC is proud to welcome this new GamCare Code, which will guarantee prominent, visible, and easily accessible signposting to safer gambling information on help and support in all our members’ land-based gaming venues. This vital Code is concrete evidence of this industry’s determination to drive up safer gambling standards for millions of customers, wherever they bet in the UK, and follows similar work from our online members.”
Officials from the Bingo Association and BACTA also expressed their appreciation for GamCare’s new guidelines. They noted that the consistency would provide some form of standardization for all operators and encourage problem gamblers to seek help before it’s too late.
A Plan to Encourage Problem Gamblers to Seek Professional Assistance
Problem gambling is increasingly becoming a matter of concern in the UK. This is especially so as several studies reveal that support initiatives for problem gamblers are reaching less than 5% of those needing help. For over two decades, GamCare has been launching programs and campaigns to draw attention to what has been termed a ‘national disaster’ and calling upon relevant stakeholders to act.
In-person gaming in the UK is slowly resuming, and reports from the Gambling Commission have shown that the numbers are up 3% in 2022 compared to 2021. Moreover, according to GamCare, most players who call the helpline have often cited issues related to gambling at brick-and-mortar venues.
Thus, the Code contains long-term and short-term outcomes and obligations, and gambling businesses are expected to implement some of them as soon as possible. As part of its problem gambling campaign, GamCare is currently running an online support forum for women with gambling issues. The group has been holding weekly Zoom meetings to share issues on gambling harms.
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